The social media dilemma

One of the first "branding" pics I ever took, at a time I didn't understand what branding was

A departure from my usual blog, what follows is a poem I wrote recently while brainstorming for an editorial on the complexities of social media. 

Although I strive to stay as authentic and transparent as possible, there is overwhelming pressure to present a "curated" life on the feeds. 

I've always embraced the "social" part of social media, and am committed to staying genuinely connected to my "tribe" consisting mostly of friends, patrons, and people I've met and interacted with on my travels. 

But there is always a balancing act between letting followers into "my world", protecting some semblance of privacy, and showcasing my work.

I'm curious about your thoughts on the poem (click the "read more" or simply scroll down), and welcome your comments. 

xoxo, Tink
​PS - this poem will be added to a collection of poems for a book I am working on! Stay tuned for more info this year!

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Is a #likeforalike
Like an eye for an eye?
What one person does
The other must oblige?

It somehow does seem
Morally unsound
For people to just “Follow”
Both friends and strangers around

When sometimes the “They”
Don’t really like “Him” or “Her”
Yet “They” stalk all their stories
With determined unfailing err

Once a simple red heart
Used to mean romantic love
But now on social media
It’s almost a virtual shove

To say “Notice me!” And
“I saw this”, for I am on here
So you better pay attention
Cause it's my dislike you fear

We check the stories
Obsessively hour by minute
To ensure each random person
Still pays attention to it

And every posted moment
Is curated fully 
So “Others” can validate
Whether it’s worthy

“See this? I’m so happy!”
We practically scream
“My life’s pretty perfect!
I’m living the dream!”

And yet are we really?
In truth, we’re mostly alone
Scrolling and searching and 
Glued to our phone

It’s like we’ve forgotten
What it really means
To be truly connected
Not just by our screens

Perhaps I’m old fashioned
Practically a dinosaur
But I remember when
I knew my neighbor next-door
​
And when being connected
Was holding a hand
Having conversations
Over dinner, not over Broadband

When the only Jones I knew
Were the ones up the street
In fact, the kindest people
You could ever hope to meet

Pictures took time to develop
And contained real memories
Put into treasured scrapbooks
With pressed flowers and leaves

From walks that we took
And dates we went on
In person, not over Zoom
Are those days all gone?

The world’s speeding up
Faster and Faster
Blink and you’ll miss it
Is social media a disaster?

They say that it’s coming
Society will be undone
And so I wonder, have the apps
Actually disconnected everyone?

Do we ever talk anymore?
Or do we just post some memes
To hide from the possibility
That we have unfulfilled dreams

Because if anyone knew
The truth of who I was
Would we still be friends?
Would they love me with my flaws?

Hmm, what if I posted
With full transparency
How I am, how I feel
And showed the real me?

Could I be that daring
Put filters aside
And let myself show 
How I REALLY feel inside?

“Would they like me?” I ponder
Unedited, authentic, and free
Or would that be too bold?
Would they quickly unfollow me?

“Am I worthy?”, I still wonder
I guess I’m not that tough
Because I need them to want me
To say that I’m enough

I could always try one
“LOL felt cute might delete”
And if it goes over well
That kind of post I’ll repeat

But if not, then I guess
I’ll keep playing the game
And build my following
Cause I believe that’s the aim

That one day so many
Will be following me
It will give me the confidence
To truly be free

To show who I am
Kinda quirky and weird
For now I’ll tone it down
So I won’t be jeered

But when I reach that magic number
Maybe a million or two
I’ll finally get brave enough
And to my own self be true.

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